Town of Normal Town Council met Oct. 17.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Koos called the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council to Order at 7:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL:
The Clerk called the roll with the following persons
PRESENT: Mayor Chris Koos and Councilmembers Kevin McCarthy, Scott Preston, Chemberly Harris, Stan Nord, Karyn Smith, and Kathleen Lorenz; also present were City Manager Pamela Reece, Assistant City Manager Eric Hanson, Corporation Counsel Brian Day, and Town Clerk Angie Huonker.
ABSENT: None.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Koos led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no Public Comment.
5. OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:
Mayor Koos read aloud the items to be considered by the Omnibus Vote Agenda.
A. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 2022; APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 2022
B. REPORT TO RECEIVE AND FILE TOWN OF NORMAL EXPENDITURES FOR PAYMENT AS OF OCTOBER 12, 2022
C. RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT WATER TREATMENT PLAN CHEMICAL BIDS FROM NOVEMBER 2022 THROUGH OCTOBER 2023 AND REJECT CHLORINE BIDS: Resolution No. 6032
D. RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BID PROCESS AND ACCEPT A QUOTE FROM UTILITY SERVICE CO., INC FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A PAX TANK MIXING SYSTEM IN ELEVATED TANKS #1, #2 AND #3
E. RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BID PROCESS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO GAMETIME C/O CUNNIGHAM ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF MODULAR PLAYGROUND UNIT AND SURFACING UNDER THE OMNIA COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM FOR EAST DETENTION PARK IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,898.77 AND AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT
F. RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE PURCHASE
AGREEMENTS WITH RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE FOR ACQUISITION OF AN R1-T TRUCK AND AN R1-S SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE
MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of the Omnibus Vote Agenda.
AYES: Lorenz, Nord, Smith, Harris, McCarthy, Koos.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Preston.
Motion declared carried.
Items D and E were removed from Omnibus Vote by Councilmember Nord and Item F was removed from Omnibus Vote by Councilmember McCarthy.
Items A, B and C were approved by the Omnibus Vote.
6. ITEMS REMOVED FROM OMNIBUS VOTE AGENDA:
RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BID PROCESS AND ACCEPT A QUOTE FROM UTILITY SERVICE CO., INC FOR THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A PAX TANK MIXING SYSTEM IN ELEVATED TANKS #1, #2 AND #3: Resolution No. 6033
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Waive the Formal Bid Process and Accept a Quote from Utility Service Co., Inc for the Purchase and Installation of a Pax Tank Mixing System in Elevated Tanks #1, #2 and #3.
AYES: Nord, Smith, Harris, McCarthy, Lorenz, Koos.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Preston
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on the cost and the useful life of the current mixing system that was installed in 2009. Water Director John Burkhart responded.
RESOLUTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BID PROCESS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO GAMETIME C/O CUNNINGHAM ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR THE PURCHASE OF MODULAR PLAYGROUND UNIT AND SURFACING UNDER THE OMNIA COOPERATIVE PURCHASING PROGRAM FOR EAST DETENTION PARK IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,898.77 AND AN ASSOCIATED BUDGET ADJUSTMENT: Resolution No. 6034
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Resolution to Waive the Formal Bid Process and Award a Contract to GameTime C/O Cunningham Associates, Inc. for the Purchase of Modular Playground Unit and Surfacing under OMNIA Cooperative Purchasing Program for East Detention Park in the Amount of $53,898.77 and an Associated Budget Adjustment.
AYES: Smith, Harris, Preston, McCarthy, Lorenz, Nord, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked for clarification on what it means to be a National Demonstration site. Director of Parks and Recreation Doug Damery responded.
Councilmember Stan Nord expressed concern about the project not being bid out and questioned whether there were any financial incentives. Director of Park and Recreation Doug Damery responded.
City Manager Pamela Reece explained that this is part of a joint purchasing program and is equipment the Town is certified to install.
Councilmember Scott Preston arrived late at 7:08 p.m.
Councilmember Karyn Smith inquired whether all playground equipment would eventually be ADA accessible. Director of Parks and Recreation Doug Damery explained that it is their goal to improve every site but not necessarily make it completely ADA accessible due to the cost.
Councilmember Karyn Smith asked about the vendors reputation for having accessible equipment in stock. Director of Parks and Recreation Doug Damery responded.
RESOLUTION WAIVING THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS WITH RIVIAN AUTOMOTIVE FOR ACQUISITION OF AN R1-T TRUCK AND AN R1-S SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE: Resolution No. 6035
MOTION:
Councilmember Nord moved, seconded by Councilmember Preston, the Council Approval of a Motion to Overrule the Decision of the Chair regarding a direct question to staff on whether this purchase is a need or a want.
AYES: Preston, Nord.
NAYS: Harris, McCarthy, Lorenz, Smith, Koos.
Motion declared failed.
MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Resolution Waiving the Formal Bidding Process and Authorizing the City
Manager to Execute Purchase Agreements with Rivian Automotive for Acquisition of an R1-T Truck and an R1-S Sport Utility Vehicle.
AYES: McCarthy, Smith, Harris, Koos.
NAYS: Preston, Lorenz, Nord.
Motion declared carried.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy expressed his support and discussed Rivian’s impact on the community, citing the number of jobs created and the amount of money invested in the community.
Councilmember Karyn Smith clarified the vehicles’ different uses, noting that staff can represent the Town of Normal and Rivian when traveling out of town for training. Ms. Smith mentioned that this is an opportunity to monitor the efficiency of electric vehicles.
Councilmember Karyn Smith inquired whether Rivian is still offering the vehicles at the original price from when the Town’s deposits were made to pre-order the vehicles. City Manager Pamela Reece explained that if Council choses to get the deposits refunded and purchase the vehicles later, it would cost an additional $15,000 to $20,000 per vehicle.
Councilmember Scott Preston commended Rivian on their impressive growth and inquired as to what fund the building permit fees paid by Rivian go into. City Manager Pamela Reece responded. Mr. Preston suggested the use of funds generated from Rivian’s expansion to purchase the vehicles.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz questioned how Mr. Preston’s suggestion could be implemented. City Manager Pamela Reece responded. Ms. Lorenz asked if there is any reason for a symbolic transfer of funds into the Vehicle Reserves funds to indicate which funds were used for the vehicle purchases. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.
Councilmember Stan Nord asked staff if this is a need or a want purchase, noting that he feels these are luxury vehicles. Mayor Koos responded.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy issued a Point of Order, stating that Council is not here to determine whether Rivian is a luxury vehicle manufacturer.
Mayor Koos explained that Mr. Nord needs to direct his question to the Council since it is a Council decision.
Councilmember Stan Nord appealed the decision of the Chair. Corporation Counsel Brian Day explained that any point of information or questions are at the discretion of the chair unless Council wants to override the chair.
Mayor Koos called Mr. Nord Out of Order.
Councilmember Stan Nord questioned whether this was not bid out because it is part of a joint purchasing agreement. City Manager Pamela Reece responded. Mr. Nord expressed his concerns about the purchase and stated he believes this is an entitled purchase.
Councilmember Chemberly Harris asked if the Town was still involved in the EV Town initiative and committed to being a leader in such programs. Mayor Koos responded. Ms. Harris stated that this is a wonderful opportunity to add electric vehicles to the Town’s vehicle fleet.
Councilmember Scott Preston asked for clarification as to whether the vehicles would be purchased with revenue generated by Rivian’s expansion if approved tonight. City Manager Pamela Reece responded.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz expressed her support for Rivian and their impact on the community. Ms. Lorenz shared her concerns about the item, stating that there is no total cost listed for the vehicles and the inability to track the source of funds paid from.
City Manager Pamela Reece explained that the vehicles can be purchased from the General Fund, but it can’t be directly linked to the revenue generated by Rivian.
Councilmember Stan Nord noted that Rivian is not the only electric vehicle manufacture in town and stated that he believes that this decision is being made based on luxury. Mr. Nord noted that the Town has also given incentives to help support Rivian.
Councilmember Karyn Smith shared her belief that this is more than a vote on the need of new vehicles, but rather a desire to show the Town’s support of Rivian.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy stated that spending on the pair of vehicles is a small gesture in comparison to Rivian’s significant impact on the local economy.
GENERAL ORDERS:
7. There were no General Orders.
NEW BUSINESS:
8. There was no New Business.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
There was no Public Comment.
10. CONCERNS:
Councilmember Stan Nord shared concerns about staff being directed by Council to not answer questions of Councilmembers and believes public business should be discussed in public. Mr. Nord also indicated he feels this treatment is what happens when there is a minority perspective on Council.
Mayor Koos responded to Councilmember Nord, clarifying his intention by not asking Town staff to defend the decisions made by Council.
Councilmember Scott Preston commended Town staff, noting there is a reason that Council is not a singular individual, indicating that all Councilmembers were elected to be representatives of citizens. Mr. Preston also issued congratulations to Illinois State University for a successful homecoming weekend.
Councilmember Kevin McCarthy addressed concerns raised by Mr. Nord noting there are several reasons for some Town business to not be discussed in public and noted a substantial use of staff time being spent on repeatedly answering the same questions. Mr. McCarthy congratulated Director of Facilities Mark Clinch on recently earning his master’s degree in Public Administration and reminded everyone about the Treat Feast Haunted Trail taking place the next couple weekends. Mr. McCarthy also wished good luck to some Town staff that will be running in a half marathon over the weekend.
Councilmember Kathleen Lorenz thanked staff for always being accommodating and noted her appreciation of the tour of the Water Department prior to the meeting.
Councilmember Karyn Smith noted that Thursday, there will be a fundraiser for the Special Olympics held at the Castle Theater and on November 3rd, the rededication of the Veteran memorial will take place on the Courthouse square of downtown Bloomington.
11. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Koos called for a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.
MOTION:
Councilmember McCarthy moved, seconded by Councilmember Harris, the Council Approval of a Motion to Adjourn the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council.
AYES: McCarthy, Lorenz, Nord, Smith, Harris, Preston, Koos.
NAYS: None.
Motion declared carried.
Mayor Koos adjourned the Regular Meeting of the Normal Town Council at 8:12 p.m., Monday, October 17, 2022.
https://www.normalil.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/4478
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